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Healing

The best is yet to come…what does this mean to you? To me, it means a lot. You may ask why and how that one simple quote can mean so much. Well, here is how…

Last Christmas (Christmas 2013), I was pregnant with my first-born. My sweet grandmother had given me a cute maternity shirt for my birthday. The shirt says, “The Best is Yet to Come.”

Back then, when I was actually wearing the shirt, here is what it meant to me:the best is yet to come because I am about to me a mom, and I’ve heard being a mom is pretty great.

Today, here is what it means to me: I had no idea what I was about to endure less than a month away. I wasn’t due until mid-april, but that January my life would change forever. It would never be the same. I wouldn’t be able to drop everything for my friends and go out to dinner and movies with them as often as I could, I wouldn’t be able to go to bed or sleep in when I wanted, I wouldn’t be able to run errands when I wanted and for however long I wanted. Some may look at it and think that is horrible and they never want the responsibility of another human being. Of course, at times I wish I could be doing other things, but I enjoy being a mom. It’s the most rewarding job I have ever had.

In that picture, I didn’t know my child would be in the nicu 5 hours away from home for a few months. I didn’t know he would be 10 months old and still mainly fed through a tube. If you would have told me all of this while I was wearing that shirt that day, I would have thought it to be the most miserable times to come. It literally has been “the worst of times and the best of times.”The best was yet to come. I have never had a heart so full and I would not take away any of the hardships that I have faced. I could look at that shirt and say, “pshhhhh, yeah right. The best did not come.” Instead, I choose to look at it and say, “I grew in my faith more than could be imagined. I am very blessed.”

Since the day my son was born, I knew everything would be worth it. It really has been. Every day when he does new things, it makes me proud and makes my heart full. I want people to learn that just because hardships happen in life doesn’t mean the best isn’t in your present nor future. Blessed is the man who undergoes trials. God is putting your faith to a test, you need to pass that test. He is giving you a chance to grow, shine, and share with others. He wants you to connect with friends and family and grow closer to Him together. When we are going through hard times, sometimes we forget to stay positive and to lean on God.

If you are going through a hardship today, you are truly blessed. God is so proud of you for staying strong and shining your light. Here is your chance to shine, or your chance to crumble. I hope you choose to shine.

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12

“Rejoice in your confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” -Romans 12:12

“I have told you have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

If you are going through some earthly trials and tribulations, lean on God and you will have peace. Pray about your current situation and have faith when you do… “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” -Matthew 21:22

God has been so faithful to me in prayer over the past year, and I hope He can do the same for you. Sometimes we forget the things we hear all the time and it is good to remind ourselves of these simple and common verses.